Maluki: Foreign Policy Academy Must Strengthen Kenya’s Diplomatic Capacity

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 Chairman of the Kenya Foreign Service Academy Council, Patrick Maluki, has called for stronger investment in diplomatic training, research and knowledge development to enhance Kenya’s ability to advance its national interests in an increasingly complex global environment.

Speaking during the launch of the Foreign Service Strategy 2026–2029, Maluki said diplomatic training and research should no longer be viewed as peripheral functions of foreign policy, but as essential investments in the country’s capacity to navigate emerging international challenges.

He thanked development partners, international organisations, private sector representatives and academia for supporting the Academy, saying partnerships would be critical to the successful implementation of the strategy.

Maluki traced the institution’s evolution from the Foreign Service Institute, which was initially established to strengthen the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ research and analytical capacity.

He noted that the institution transitioned into an academy in 2017, with the expanded mandate of preparing diplomats for the changing demands of modern diplomacy.

Maluki said the Academy was elevated to an autonomous government agency through an Act of Parliament in December 2021, with a Council established to provide strategic oversight and strengthen accountability.

The Council, he explained, is responsible for approving the Academy’s plans, overseeing resource mobilisation and ensuring prudent management of the institution.

According to Maluki, the Academy’s mandate has since expanded beyond training to include foreign policy research and analysis, while continuing to prepare officers for assignments in Kenya’s foreign missions.

The Academy has also strengthened partnerships with similar institutions abroad, including engagements aimed at sharing diplomatic practices and enhancing professional capacity.

Maluki said the institution has trained more than 5,000 officers from Kenya and other countries since its establishment. It has also supported the induction and training of diplomats from countries including South Sudan and Somalia.

He added that the Academy has increasingly opened its programmes to ministries, departments and agencies across government, providing specialised training designed to respond to the needs of officers working in different sectors.

Maluki said the growing demand for the Academy’s programmes demonstrates confidence in its expertise and its contribution to strengthening public-sector capacity.

He said the Council would continue reviewing the Academy’s governance, training programmes and resource-management systems to ensure the institution remains responsive to emerging diplomatic needs.

“Our desire is to see an academy that is financially sustainable, digitally driven and internationally connected,” Maluki said.

He said achieving the vision would require sustained partnerships with development partners, international institutions, academia and other stakeholders.

Maluki maintained that strengthening the Academy would ultimately contribute to a more effective and professional foreign service capable of representing and advancing Kenya’s interests globally.

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